FAQs

What do you mean by "Whole Child Education" and “Holistic” education?

Whole child education focuses on educating children intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. We believe that a fulfilled, creative and productive life involves considerably more than mental development or the ability to earn a living. As important as these things are, every child also needs the balance provided by healthy emotional, social and physical development. Both Waldorf education and Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences approach are used at Desert Star to understand and meet the needs of the whole child.

Another aspect of whole child education is the consideration of different learning styles. Research in this area has given educators new directions for making changes in their classrooms. Lessons and activities blend cognitive, auditory and kinesthetic approaches to address the students’ various dominant learning styles. We will place a high priority on our students "learning how to learn". Storytelling, language arts, arithmetic, the sciences, singing, art, music, drama and movement will be integrated to provide the students with opportunities to receive information through many modes of learning. The primary guiding principle will be to engage the whole child with the subject matter by incorporating multiple learning modalities into every learning experience.

What are Multiple Intelligences?

Howard Gardner, a Harvard professor, put forth the idea that there are many types of intelligence and our educational system is catering to only one or two. By teaching in a way that appeals to a variety of different learning styles children can process information holistically and more effectively. The types of intelligence are:

Linguistic
word and language-based learning

Logical-Mathematical
numbers-based, logical, linear learning

Visual-Spatial
visually oriented, artistic learning

Body-Kinesthetic
physical movement and action oriented learning

Musical
melody, pitch, and rhythm-based learning

Interpersonal Intelligence
social-emotional, group interaction and relationship learning

Intrapersonal Intelligence
inner reflection, self awareness and introspective learning

Naturalist Intelligence
nature-based, environmental, scientific learning

We believe that every child is gifted in his or her own way. A holistic approach to education helps to develop the child’s unique gifts and talents while strengthening all intelligence areas.

What is Waldorf Education?

See www.waldorfanswers.org/PublicWaldorf.htm for comprehensive information
about Waldorf in public charter schools.

Waldorf is an educational philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher, educator, scientist and artist. The first Waldorf school -- for the children of employees at the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory -- opened in September, 1919
in Stuttgart, Germany.

Steiner designed the school's curriculum around children's natural course of development, incorporating their imaginations into their lessons and encouraging artistic mastery, as well as creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Waldorf teaching methods emphasize a nurturing, multi-sensory, nature-based learning environment. The stimulation of the child’s imagination and creativity is a high priority. Daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms help provide consistent structure to the educational process. Multiple learning modalities are integrated into daily lessons to create a learning atmosphere that is supportive, challenging and meaningful to each student. Opportunities for artistic expression abound throughout the grades

Currently, Waldorf is the fastest growing independent educational movement in the private sector, with more than 800 Waldorf schools and 120,000 students in 45 countries. Approximately 125 Waldorf schools operate in North America, and a growing number of Waldorf-inspired public and charter schools are beginning to sprout up across the country.

What makes Waldorf unique from other schools?

Once you've stepped into a Waldorf-inspired classroom, and you have seen the children's artwork hanging up on the walls, the beautiful and elaborate illustrations in their main lesson books, once you've had a chance to listen to the children stamp their feet and clap their hands through the multiplication tables to a hundred and beyond, once you've seen your child run out of the classroom at the end of the day with a big, bright smile on his face, day after day after day, it's only really until then that you truly realize that Waldorf is indeed unique.

That's because Waldorf teaches the whole child. In addition to rigorous academics, Waldorf-inspired methods also address a child's emotional growth, helping her learn valuable inter-personal skills and self-disciplined behavior.

While artistic expression plays a central role in each grade, students master a variety of different disciplines, including mathematics, natural sciences, composition, foreign languages and handwork. Often, Waldorf is described as an education that includes the "head, heart and hands," emphasizing growth mentally, emotionally and physically.

Where is the school located?

Desert Star opened its doors at a new location for the 2007-2008 school year. The school’s new property in Cornville is centrally located to the entire Verde Valley. The areas served includes Cornville, Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Rimrock/Lake Montezuma and Camp Verde.

What is a charter school?

In Arizona a charter school is a public school, administered separately from the public school district. The charter school receives public funds to run the school and must articulate state standards and testing like a public school. However, the curricular emphasis and school governance are specified in the school’s charter, which also serves as the school's contract with the state. In Arizona, charter schools have more freedom to set their own goals than in other states. It is important to note that charter schools receive substantially less funding per child than public schools and receive no funds for the purchase or improvements of facilities.

What is the focus of your curriculum?

Our school integrates academic, artistic, and practical work, inspired by the innovative curriculum of Waldorf education, a teaching method used in over 800 schools throughout the world. Arizona educational standards for each grade are integrated into lessons and academic excellence is cultivated throughout the grades. Art and music are taught at all grade levels and a nurturing environment and creative play is important in the kindergarten. Grade students perform plays and learn handcrafts in addition to studies of history, science, language arts and literature, mathematics and foreign language.

Is this a religious school?

No. The school does however have a moral or values-based aspect in educating the 'heart' toward responsibility, respect, and compassion.

Will teachers follow a class through multiple grades as is done in Waldorf schools?

The school plans to have teachers follow students through multiple grades, with a flexible approach to determine what is in the best interests of the students. A student would have one teacher for Kindergarten, another teacher for 1st through 3rd grades after which time an evaluation would be done to determine if the teacher would continue with the class for 4th through 6th grade. Some teachers are particularly suited towards teaching the younger or older grade students and this may also be a consideration.

How will reading be taught?

Each child will learn to read when developmentally ready and the school will be respectful of each child’s individual rate of progress. Desert Star’s approach will utilize the Waldorf model along with teaching the state standards for reading. This will be done by offering opportunities to read and write in the early grades while allowing each child to progress at his or her own pace in a pressure-free environment.

What grades are offered? Will there be mixing ages of children in the classroom?

The school offers Kindergarten through 6th grade. There are numerous opportunities for children of different ages to interact in class and on the playground as multi-age groupings are encouraged and seen as beneficial, creating a supportive, family feeling in the school community.

How many students will there be in each class?

Classes are small with a maximum of 24 or less students, with the exception of the K, which has a maximum of 22.

What will the school require for teacher qualifications?

Desert Star requires faculty to be highly qualified as defined by the Arizona Department of Education. The criteria includes the minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and passage of a State test for competency. Teachers will be selected based on an evaluation of their ability to deliver the curriculum and vision as described in the school’s charter.

A Waldorf teaching certification will not be required. However, if a teacher hired by the school does not have a background in Waldorf teaching methods, the school will require training in the teaching methods as part of the teacher’s professional development.

What is the plan for parent participation in the school?

As a community school, the active participation of parents both within and outside of the classroom is essential in supporting the school’s educational program. Parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer at least 50 hours per school year. Parents’ professional, cultural and creative knowledge, talents and abilities help to make Desert Star a vibrant, dynamic learning environment. In addition to the classroom assistance, the school relies on parent volunteers to perform many non-classroom jobs such as school maintenance and improvement, clerical duties, fundraising and outreach.

Desert Star Community School acknowledges that circumstances may not allow some parents to be involved in the school to extent that they might wish; therefore parental involvement will not be a requirement of school enrollment.

How can I participate in the development of the school?

The Parent Council is responsible for assigning volunteer activities for the school. They will match your interests with an appropriate volunteer activity. Please call the school office at (928) 282-0171 to find out who to call.